I was wondering if anyone knows if it’s possible for a relatively low SAT score (1350) to be compensated for when applying to top tier schools? If yes, how so? I have a really high GPA and pretty good extracurriculars but I still feel like it will never be enough to even be considered for admission. Also if you know anyone or if you yourself was accepted to a top school with less than average SAT scores let me know 
Thanks!
You could apply to schools like U of Chicago, which are test-optional. I think a relatively low score probably will ding your chances, unless you have a very strong hook or spike.
You can’t fit your score to a school (unless you are a star athlete)…you have fit your school to your scores.
Figure out what you like in a school:
Geographical Location
Rural/suburban/Urban
Do they have your major
Size
Big time athletics
etc
You could also study and bring your score up. You’d need 150-200 points. Also, some do considerably better on the ACT (look at 33 as a cutoff there is my gut).
I don’t think the test optional option was developed for folks with just a lower test score. It was for those who are exceptionally talented in some area (the arts, entrepreneurship, research experience on breakthrough stuff, winner of some national medal, single handedly escaped war-torn Crimea and swam the English Channel to reach your freedom) and have a lower test score. So if that latter is you…
I see on another thread that you are asking about a nursing program.
A few points. First of all, nursing is a competitive major. However, there are a lot of good nursing programs at a lot of universities. This is fortunate because there is a high demand for nurses. This demand is not going to go away for a while as the baby boomers get old and need medical care. As such going to a “pretty good” university is going to get you a very good job if this is your major.
Your GPA (also from another thread) at least to me looks like it is likely to be sufficient for your in-state public university.
@bopper is correct that you can’t fit your score to a school. You need to either retake the SAT and improve the score, or pick a university for which your grades, SAT, and budget are a good fit. However, I think that if you keep an open mind, look for schools that will get you where you want to be five or six years from now, and avoid the notion of “dream school”, I think that you will do very well. Your GPA up to now is probably the best predictor of how you are likely to do in university, and this is quite good in your case.
I used to know someone who got into MIT with just over 1300 SAT. However, this was a long time ago, consisted of 800 on math and just over 500 on English, and he didn’t graduate. I think that it is a better plan to find a school for which your SAT puts you solidly above the 25th percentile of incoming students.
Thank you, this was super helpful.
I know of two people who have gotten into Ivy League level schools with below average SAT/ACT scores. One was a four-star lacrosse recruit and the other came from a very prominent family. Assuming that you don’t have a hook, you are going to need to bring your SAT score up by at least 150 points if you are aiming for the Ivy League. And keep in mind, there are plenty of kids who have the full package (high GPA, high test scores, and solid EC’s) who still end up getting rejected.
If you have a unique major, for instance something along the lines of Russian language/studies. If Yale needs a few of those that can help. But it is silly to shape an educational path you really aren’t into to get into a specific school. But if those stars align it can help.
Unless you have a true hook (ex. recruited athlete, child of a huge donor) I fear the SAT score will hurt your application tremendously. These schools typically have under a 10% acceptance rate and routinely turn down people with perfect standardized test and GPA scores as there simply is not enough space for all of the very well qualified applicants. If you want to put in an application or two that is your call – but know they would be extreme reaches.
I would suggest:
–Studying and trying to improve your standardized test score.
–Expanding your horizons (there are so many amazing colleges there which you would qualify for)
–Looking at some test optional colleges if you can’t get your standardized tests to align with your GPA https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional/state
I would respectfully disagree with the above post. Unless a college accepts by major (which Ivy schools do not) putting down a unique major won’t help your application – I’ve heard admissions officers say that an applicant would need a long and very clear and long standing demonstrated interest in the subject for an unusual major to be even considered. Admissions officers are well aware that students are free to (and often do) change majors once they get to campus.
@happy1 I agree with you.
And focused interest would be a better way of describing it versus major. But there are certainly holes in the mosiac of disciplines at many schools. No one can tell for sure. But I didn’t want to go down the whole research road to show the dozens on examples where a weaker student with a more obscure and valued focus was a game changer for them. I am not suggesting this either. As my first post indicated. It was an observation.
Ivies can and will review by major. In such a highly competitive context, there is an expectation an applicant has relevant experiences beyond classes. Depending on the major, even outside the school. On one thread it’s nursing, on another, behavioral neuroscience. Two different paths. Of course majors can change. But your application is a snapshot of your thinking and your preparation for what you do state.
So, OP, what is it? You need to define your interests and try to undersand the strengths these schools will look for. What college? And do you know why? Not all Ivies are the same, not in size, location, flavor or particular programs. It matters to them that you understand why you want the particular college and how you fit.
I agree with both @happyone & @privatebanker that applying to a dying major (think German & classics) can help one’s chances for admission if there is significant demonstrated interest.
You dont just pick a random major you have no experience with, including activities. Yes, the Ivies can review your app in the context of the major you state. It’s that much competition and the app is a snapshot of your thinking. Or not. It needs to make sense.
And don’t forget German and classics are also smaller depts, can have fewer seats.
As I said earlier I am not a proponent for this approach. If if fits your profile with a unique focus area that is of current interest to college - which changes all the time - can answer the OPs question.
Without being a Native American ,distinguished athlete , celebrity or child of an ultra ultra high net worth family, I see no way around the low board scores for the Ivy League. Bowdoin u Chicago and other test optional elites are different story.
I agree with @privatebanker. In no way am I an advocate of applying with an unusual major as an admission ploy.
Anyway, I think we are veering off topic…
agree with @BrianBoiler it really depends what else you got…1350 is fine for many schools and there are students with this score who got into ivies but most likely they had something very interesting about them to get there…
At any rate, 1350 is low for an Ivy. And the ECs, listed on another thread don’t seem to include high impact or community active. A few hs clubs, a job and working with littl echildren. If she is thinking nursing, I think Pennn is the only undergrad program.